KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu launched its first electric bus service today, marking the beginning of the state's public transport transformation plan.
For a start, four electric buses and six stage buses would be introduced to serve seven trunk routes and one feeder route covering a distance of 235.9km.
Users only need to pay a minimum fare of between 90 sen and RM2.50 depending on the distance. The fare, considered the lowest to date, is expected to attract those staying along the routes and indirectly help solve the illegal taxis problem.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said under phase one of the improved MyBas service project, the state would receive 30 buses, providing wider connectivity as well as more reliable service across the city.
The routes are Kuala Terengganu-Sultan Mahmud Airport- Merang Jetty, Kuala Terengganu-Chendering (UITM)-Marang, Kuala Terengganu-Pasir Panjang-Kampung Laut-Bukit Payong and Kuala Terengganu City Feeder.
Under phase two and three, four more additional routes would be introduced, namely Kuala Terengganu –Wakaf Tapai-Kuala Berang, Kuala Terengganu-Gong Tok Nasek-Kedai Buluh-UCSI University, Kuala Terengganu-Sungai Rengas-Serada –Rawai-Bukit Payong and Kuala Terengganu-Manir-Gong Badak-Batu Rakit.
“Kuala Terengganu will be the first to use the electric bus under the State Bus Service Transformation programme introduced by Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD),” he said after witnessing the signing of an agreement between SPAD and MARA Liner Sdn Bhd.
Under the agreement, MARA Liner will operate the service.
Razif said the introduction of electric buses would help promote the use of green technology as well as boost the state's tourism industry.